Sydney and Glory play out entertaining draw

The game at Aussie Stadium tonight ended 0-0 as Sydney and Perth shared the points in the top of the table Round 13 game in the Hyundai A-League.

The Glory made a shock change minutes before the match with keeper Jason Petkovic too ill to take his position between the sticks. The Young Serbia and Montenegro youth international keeper Milan Jovanic came in for his league debut. Also Scott Miller was out injuried and Steve McMahon JR replaced him at right back.

Sydney made two changes to their starting line up with Japanese import Kazuyoshi Miura replacing David Zdrilic and Terry McFlynn replacing Jacob Timpano with Matthew Bingley slotting into the centre back role.

It was a bright opening with the visitors going close first, a long ball by Simon Colosimo found Damian Mori who cut inside Iain Fyfe, but shot straight at keeper Clint Bolton. Sydney’s new forward pairing of Miura and Sasho Petrovski struggled to make an impact early, although Miura did find the net in the 10th minute but he was adjudged offside. The Glory continued to dominate and went with in inches of taking the lead in the 12th minute.

A surging run by defender Matt Horsley found Billy Celeski on the left, he played in Nick Ward his toe poke fell to Bobby Despotovski who smashed his shot off the crossbar with Bolton well beaten. Moments later Naum Sekulovski found the impressive Ward, who set up Celeski but again he shot straight at Bolton. Sydney were struggling to get into the game, but after good approach work from Miura Steve Corica fired wide.

But the Glory were still in command and a great ball from Colosimo found Despotovski, who intelligently chested down to Celeski on the edge of the box, who fired wide. The game was now end to end and a great run and shot by Petrovski was saved at the near post by Jovanic. Sydney still hadn’t tested the young keeper, which was testament to the great defending by the Glory back four.

Sydney’s Andrew Packer was lucky not to be sent off in the 28th minute after a crude two footed tackle on Jamie Coyne, referee Matthew Breeze only showing a yellow card. There were chances at both ends before the break with Corica’s deflected shot was saved well by Jovnic and Celeski cleared off the line from a corner for Sydney and for Perth Ward and Despotovski combined well with Ward culing his shot inches past the post with Bolton well beaten. It was 0-0 at the break but it was an entertaining half of football for the crowd of 16,242.

The second half began with the Cove in full voice, and they and the Sydney players all appealed for a penalty after a Miura flick seemed to strike Jamie Harnwell on the arm but the referee waved away their protests. Both sides’ defences were well on top with Iain Fyfe outstanding for Sydney, and Matt Horsley for Perth. Jovanic was finally tested in the 57th minute and the youngster did well to save a Petrovski shot from the edge of the box.

With the introduction of Dwight Yorke, Sydney began to dominate but the elusive goal wouldn’t come. After a long throw in from Alvin Ceccoli caused panic in the Glory defence, David Carney should have done better but he fired over from close range. Glory were playing some great counter attacking football and second half substitutes Adrian Caceres and Hiroyuki Ishida using their pace to cause the Sydney defenders problems.

Despotovski and Ceceres fired wide as the Glory went in search of the victory but as the game went into the last ten minutes the game could have gone either way. The best chances though fell to the visitors, a great run and shot from Ceceres was superbly tipped around the post by Bolton.

A scoreless draw it was but it was a great advert for football in Australia, and the Glory deserve credit they played some great passing football which should make some TV pundits eat their words. Sydney keep in touch of Adelaide at the top of the table and coach Pierre Littbarski will no doubt look for better from his side in the on-coming weeks.

In the next round they travel to Adelaide in a top of the table clash at Hindmarsh Stadium on Sunday. The Glory entertain Newcastle Jets at Members Equity Stadium on Friday evening, the Jets looking to seek revenge after the Glory trashed them 5-1 at the Energy Australia Stadium in Round Seven.

Team Line-Ups

Sydney:
GK. Clint Bolton, 2. Iain Fyfe, 3. Alvin Ceccoli, 6. Ufuk Talay, 8. Matthew Bingley, 10. Steve Corica, 11. Sasho Petrovski, 12. David Carney, 14. Andrew Packer, 15. Terry McFlynn, 21. Kazuyoshi Miura - Subs; Justin Pasfield, Mark Rudan, David Zdrilic, Dwight Yorke.

Perth:
GK. Milan Jovanic, 2. Matthew Horsley, 4. Simon Colosimo, 5. Jamie Harnwell, 6. Steve McMahon JR, 8. Nick Ward, 10. Bobby Despotovski, 14. Jamie Coyne, 15. Billy Celeski, 19. Naum Sekulovski, 22. Damien Mori - Subs; Jason Petkovic, Hiroyuki Ishida, Adrian Caceres, Henry Fa’Arodo.

•  Have a view on this story? Send us your feedback!